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EU27 international trade in goods with Ukraine grew strongly from 2000 to 2008, then fell sharply in 2009 before partially recovering between 2010 and 2012. While EU27 exports to Ukraine more than quadrupled between 2000 and 2012, from 5.5 billion euro in 2000 to 23.8 bn in 2012, imports from Ukraine tripled, from 4.8 bn in 2000 to 14.6
bn in 2012. Since 2000, the EU27 has always recorded a trade surplus with Ukraine, increasing from 0.6 bn in 2000 to a peak of 10.5 bn in 2008, and then reaching 9.3 bn in 2012. Ukraine accounted for around 1% of the EU27’s total trade in goods in 2012, and was the EU27's 22nd most important trading partner.

In the construction sector, seasonally adjusted production fell by 1.7% in the euro area (EA17) and by 2.7% in the EU27 in December 2012, compared with the previous month, according to first estimates released by Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union. In November 2012, production decreased by 0.4% and 0.6% respectively.

The first estimate for the euro area (EA17) trade in goods balance with the rest of the world in December 2012 gave a 11.7 bn euro surplus, compared with +8.0 bn in December 2011. The November 2012 balance was +13.0 bn, compared with +4.9 bn in November 2011. In December 2012 compared with November 2012, seasonally adjusted exports fell by 1.8% and imports by 3.0%. These data are released by Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union.

In December 2012 compared with November 2012, seasonally adjusted industrial production grew by 0.7% in the euro area (EA17) and by 0.5% in the EU27, according to estimates released by Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union. In November production fell by 0.7% and 0.6% respectively.

The economic slowdown observed in the EU since the beginning of the financial crisis is also visible in the evolution of energy consumption. Gross inland energy consumption in the EU27 fell from a level of 1 800 million tonnes of oil equivalent (toe) in 2008, to 1 700 mn toe in 2009, increased to 1 760 mn toe in 2010 and then fell again to 1 700 mn toe in 2011. Between 2008 and 2011, energy consumption in the EU27 has decreased by 6%.

Companies that employ people with disabilities reap numerous benefits. Active recruiting and retention of employees with disabilities, including veterans, can both significantly expand the pool of talent and create new business opportunities, according to a new publication from The Conference Board, Leveling the Playing Field: Attracting, Engaging and Advancing People with Disabilities. Among the poignant conclusions reported: Managers who have supervised an employee with a disability are overwhelmingly likely to recommend hiring workers with disabilities.Over ninety percent of consumers are more favorable toward companies that hire people with disabilities. And yet, 77 percent of companies still do not take advantage of existing tax breaks and other benefits available for hiring workers with disabilities.

In December 2012 compared with November 2012, the volume of retail trade fell by 0.8% in the euro area (EA17) and by 0.6% in the EU27, according to estimates from Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union. In November retail trade decreased by 0.1% in the euro area and remained stable in the EU27.

In December 2012, compared with November 2012, the industrial producer price index fell by 0.2% in both the euro area (EA17) and the EU27, according to estimates from Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union. In November prices also decreased by 0.2% in both zones.

The euro area (EA17) seasonally-adjusted unemployment rate was 11.7% in December 2012, stable compared with November. The EU27 unemployment rate was 10.7%, also stable compared with November. In both zones, rates have risen markedly compared with December 2011, when they were 10.7% and 10.0% respectively. These figures are published by Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union.

House prices, as measured by the House Price Index (HPI), fell by 2.5% in the euro area and by 1.9% in the EU3 in the third quarter of 2012 compared with the same quarter of the previous year, according to data published by Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union.